Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1887-11-13
SURGICAL SENSATIONS.
Seventy.fOur Drainage Tubes
Used at One Time on a Boy.

Among the most insidious of the
diseases that sap away vitality is that
general class known to the medical
profession as blood poisoning. 1t may
come from any one of a thousand
causes, the poisoning of the blood, but
its effects are alike terrible in all
cases. Little Willie Horton, who is
only Z years old, the son of mer-
chant in the dry goods line in New
York, has just been through siege
of blood poisoning of most remark
able character, accompanied by enough
pain and suffering during the last few
months to suffice an ordinary citizen
whole lifetime. The lad is private
patient of DIR. Darling, who
is a specialist in blood dis
eases. During most OF the lads i'll
ness he has been directly and con-
stantly under the Doctors eye and
personal supervision in his house,
where he has fitted up several rooms
for patients who may require especial
care. Willie Horizons sickness brgan
in peculiar way. He had a small
black-and-tan dog-so unusually
small as to be great pet. The dog
was nearly as old as his young mas
ter. After a run in the hot sun one
day last spring, the dog seemed to
wilt. Its legs bent under its small
body, and it appeared unable to
walk. When it came bedtime for
Willie the dog was still very sick
Willie was worried over his pet
He lay awake for hour after hour until
certain that his parents had retired.
Then he got up and went out to the
dogs kennel and brought his sick
playmate into his own bed. 1t was
the most simple of boylike deeds.
The lad covered his pet up with bed
clothes as tenderly as if it was his
brother. Then he went to sleep. One
arm was around his playmate's neck.
In the morning the dog was dead. Its
body was cold and rigid, indicating
that death had taken place early after
the removal to Willie's bed. The boy
was almost inconsolable and nearly
heart broken. Even the promise OF
another dog scarcely frightened the
youthful mourner's face. He made
funeral for the poor little black-and-
tan, and buried the dead animal with
all the honors of childhood and dog
hood.
The next day Willie complained of
feeling unwell. 1t was at first thought
to be merely the reaction consequent
on the excitement of the previous day.
But it was soon developed to be more
serious. He complained of feeling as
if there was heavy weight on his
head that held him to the earth so
that he could not move. He had fire.
quent attacks of fainting. They would
come on suddenly. He would be stand
ing up in conversation when, without
any warning, his eyes would close and
he would become unconscious without
even struggle. Chill after chill ran
up and down his spine. Although the
weather was warm he complained of
the great cold, and when in bed
wanted to be heavily covered with
blankets. There was great nausea at
times. 1t was relieved by the throwing
off OF u dark fluid of an intensely disa-
greeable odor.
THE SYMPTOMS EXPLAINED.
Nothing definite was indicated by
the symptoms upon which to base a
diagnosis, and DR.. Darling could only
wait until some particular signs of dis
ease were manifested. The boy COM
planned of severe headache. If his
head was touched he would scream
out piteously. Commissions soon fol-
lowed. These were so severe that res
piration was interfered with. The
commissions were especially severe
about the neck and shoulder. There
was white coating on the tongue.
The pulse was 80 quick that it could
not be counted. The little fellow be-
came respondent in his mood, and was
constantly saying that he was going
to die. Still there was nothing to in.
dictate that his condition was ANYTHING
else than the result of the excitement
of seeing his dog dead. The third
day after he became ill he complained
of terrible pain in the shoulder
The right side OF the neck and Shout
der swelled rapidly. A watery SWELL
ing on the same side OF the body ex.
tended from the shoulder joint to the
abdomen. The skin at first was very
pale, and then it turned yellow, The
mental condition of the little sufferer
was agonizing, yet through all his suf-
ferings then and later he never be-
came delirious.